Assessing The Championship Promotion Candidates

Despite last seasons relegation, Middlesborough will be in many people’s top three to return to the top-flight following the impressive announcement of former Leeds manager Garry Monk as their new head coach.

High profile signings in the experienced Jonny Howson and highly rated former Forest striker Britt Assombalonga have made Boro’ one of the best prepared clubs.

But the pressure will heavily be on Monk’s men, and like Villa, anything over than promotion will be a failure for the North-East side. Monk also has the problem of justifying spending £7m on Ashley Fletcher.